Well Control During Operations

Well Control During Drilling
Operations
A brief introduction about well control principles and equipment used

in drilling operations.
Copyright of Shell Global Solutions

Webinar Outline
◼ Kicks and Blowouts

◼ Terminology
◼ Causes of Kicks
◼ Kick Detection
◼ Shut-In Procedures
◼ Killing Methods
◼ Driller’s and Wait & Weight Method

Kicks and Blowouts
1.1
Well Control
Kick
◼ “an unscheduled entry of formation fluids into the wellbore, of sufficient
Quantity to require shutting in the well.
Blowout
◼ Loss of control of a kick

Blowout

Impact of Well Control Incidents
◼ Increased exposure to hazards

◼ NPT
◼ Cost
◼ Stress
◼ Disposal of hydrocarbons
◼ Equipment damage and or wear
◼ Drilling fluid problems

Impact of a Blowout … Immediate
◼ HSE Impact
◼ Deaths / Injury
◼ Loss of OU / Third Party Assets
◼ Pollution (Air / Land / Water)
◼ Local population at risk
◼ Shut down of Production
◼ Control Costs
◼ Personnel
◼ Equipment

Impact of a Blowout … Long term
◼ Company Image & Licence to Operate

◼ Remediation of environmental pollution
◼ Reservoir damage
◼ Depressurisation
◼ Crossflow / contamination
◼ Deferment of production
◼ Loss of well
◼ Diversion of other assets (rigs etc)

Terminology
1.2
Levels of Well Control
Partial or Complete Abandonment
BOPs
Specialists
Mud Wt.
Well Control
Hole full
Control &
Prevention Mitigation
Copyright of Shell Global Solutions Recovery
Primary Well Control
What is it?
The use of hydrostatic pressure

derived from the wellbore fluid to
control the pore pressure in
exposed formations

Liquids, Densities and Pressure Gradients
◼ Liquids exert hydrostatic

pressure
◼ Pressure is related to the
density of the fluid and height
◼ Liquids are relatively
incompressible, density almost
constant

Hydrostatic Pressure (HP) Provides Primary Well Control
A column of fluid at rest exerts “hydrostatic” pressure within the fluid column.
Hydrostatic pressure is dependent on the mud
weight and vertical depth to the point of interest.
MW = 12 ppg
HP = 0.052 x MW x TVD
HP is in psi, MW in ppg, and TVD in feet.
9 5/8” @ 8500 ft EXAMPLE:
TVD
What is the hydrostatic pressure per foot of vertical depth?
HP = .052 x 12 ppg x 1 ft = 0.624 psi/ft

What is the hydrostatic pressure at the casing shoe?
TVD = 12,000 ft
HP @ shoe = .624 psi/ft x 8500 ft =5304 psi
What is the bottomhole hydrostatic pressure?
HP @ TVD = .624 psi/ft x 12000 ft = 7488 psi
Hydrostatic Pressure - Pressure Gradient - Equivalent Mud Weight
Gradient = MW x .052
HP = Gradient x TVD
HSP = MW x .052 x TVD
MW = Gradient ÷ .052
MW = Pressure ÷ .052 ÷ TVD
Gradient = Pressure ÷ TVD
Note: Use TVD for Pressure.

Use MD for volume.

Pressure vs Depth

Multiple Fluid Gradients

Well Control
◼ Fluids in rock pore spaces need to be kept under control at all times
◼ Failure to control these fluids can lead to spontaneous and rapid flow into the
well bore.
◼ Initially such a flow is referred to as a Kick
◼ When the flow remains uncontrolled & escalates it is called a Blow-Out
◼ Always strive for Primary Well Control in Drilling And Work-over Operations
◼ Primary Well Control relies on the use of hydrostatic pressure derived from the
wellbore fluid to control the pore pressure in exposed formations

Drilling fluid density is a trade-off …
◼ Too low and the BHP will fall below the

Pore Pressure and potentially result in a
kick
◼ Too high and the BHP can result in
fracturing of the bore hole resulting in
losses and wellbore problems

Pore Pressure Profile - The lower limit
◼ Normal Pore Pressure Profiles

◼ Hydraulic connection to the water table
◼ connection can be some distance away
◼ other formations
◼ non-sealing faults

ORIGINS OF FORMATION PRESSURE
Sedimentation and Subsidence Process
Geologic Strata
Ocean or
River Bed
Normal Pressure
Seal or
Caprock
Abnormally
Pressured
Zone
Permeable
Formation

Normal Range of Water Densities
Pressure
Abnormal
10.52 kPa/m
(0.465 psi/ft)
or higher
Subnormal
9.8 kPa/m
(0.433 psi/ft)
Depth
or less

Pore Pressure Profile - The lower limit
Abnormal Pore Pressure Profiles

◼ High water table or low elevation
◼ Hydrocarbon bearing formations
◼ Abnormal sedimentary burial
◼ Undercompaction / geopressures / depopressures
◼ Salt dunes
◼ Tectonic pressures
Sub-Normal Pore Pressure Profiles
◼ Low water table or high drilling location
◼ Reservoir Depletion
◼ Tectonic extension after compression

Abnormal Pressure - Rig Elevation
Under-balance
Sub-normal Pressures – Rig Elevation
Over-balance

Abnormal Pressure – Under-compaction

Abnormal Pressure – Pressures trapped by Faults

Abnormal Pressure – Pressures in / around Salt Domes

Abnormal Pressure – Hydrocarbon Column Effect
? ?

Hydrocarbon Column Effect
Pressure
Overpressure
Top of Reservoir
GOC
OWC
Water
Oil
Gas
Formation Breakdown Gradient – the Upper Limit
3
Principal Stresses
1 2 2
P
2 2
3
3
3
1 2 2
1 = max. principal stress = v = vertical stress P
2 & 3 = horizontal confining stresses
3 = minimum principal stress 3
Overburden Gradient
Overburden pressure gradient is the sum

of the fluid and rock pressure gradients
Effectively the highest pressure that can be
experienced

Determining Formation Strength
Generally performed after setting casing

◼ Drill out casing & rat hole
◼ Drill +/- 5m of new formation
◼ Circulate and condition mud to constant density
◼ Pull back into shoe
Performed as either leak-off test or limit test
◼ Leak off test in plastic formations (clays / shales)
◼ Limit Test more common in brittle formations (limestones) & where
strength requirement is known

Formation Strength - Limit Test
Test Objective:
Limit Test Response
◼ Confirm pressure integrity of formation to a pre-
determined pressure. Surface Limit Press. (LP)
◼ Confirm assumptions made during well design.
Surface Pressure
Limitations:
◼ Limited information about casing shoe cement bond
◼ Restricted to LP for the formation immediately below
the shoe.
◼ Does not quantify properties associated with
Volume Pumped
fracturing or in-situ stresses. (or time @ constant pump rate)
◼ Provides limited information!

Formation Strength - Leak-off Test
Test Objective:
◼ Obtain leak-off pressure or stable fracture pressure for
the formation below the shoe. Leak Off Press Stable Fracture
(LOP) Propagation
Limitations:
Pressure
◼ Limited guidance on the integrity of the casing shoe
cement bond.
◼ Fracture gradient for single point only.
◼ Formation damaged (controllable / small scale).
Vol.
◼ Limited information on in-situ stresses (fracture Hard Impermeable Formation
gradient as upper limit of minimum horizontal stress).

Formation Strength Test - Soft, Permeable Formation
Pressure
Initial Press
Final Press
Initial - Final
Vol

Formation Strength - Cement Integrity Test
◼ If P < 10% in 15 mins, cement is good & the new

formation is impermeable (or effectively sealed by P
Press
mud cake)
◼ If pressure drops noticeably after 3 - 5 mins, bring
pressure back to initial shut-in.
Time

Press response for permeable formation
Press
Time

Pressure response for inadequate shoe isolation (leak)
Press
Time

Formation Strength Pressure
MAASP
ρfs Formation Strength Gradient
ρmu Limiting Pressure

(Limit / Leak-off Test)
d

Calculated Examples
Stop Pump
Leak off
Initial Shut-in Pressure (ISIP)
Min. Horizontal Stress (Sh)
Fluid Compression
Pressure
Shut-in Time
(minutes)
Linear
Record every min. for 20 minutes or until pressure
increase
stabilizes
0 1 2 3 4
Barrels
Leak off pressure = 900 psi

Test mud weight = 10.0 ppg
TVD shoe = 4,500 ft
900 psi ÷ .052 psi/ft/ppg ÷ 4,500 ft + 10.0 ppg = 13.8 ppg

Combine the information

Kick Types and Causes of Kicks
1.3
Kick Types
◼ While drilling tophole section with a diverter system – Diverter

Procedures
◼ While drilling with a full BOP stack – “On bottom drilling” due to
unexpected Abnormal Formation Pressure
◼ While tripping with a full BOP stack – “Off bottom” due to reduced
Hydrostatic Pressure

Causes of Kicks
◼ A kick is the undesired flow of formation fluids into the wellbore.
◼ The Rig Team must react to well control warning signs.
◼ Industry-wide experience has shown that the most common causes of kicks are:
1. Swabbing during trips
2. Improper hole fill-up on trips
3. Insufficient mud/fluid weight – human error
4. Drilling into unexpected abnormal formation pressure
5. Loss of circulation
▪ Evidence also shows that the majority of kicks occur during trips.

Swabbing – Beware of Insufficient Hole Fill-
Up Swabbing is affected by:
◼ Pipe pulling speed
◼ Mud properties
◼ Annular clearance
Procedure:
◼ Monitor hole fill-up on trips!
Formation Fluids
◼ Limit pipe pulling and running speeds.
◼ Add trip margin.
◼ If swabbing is severe, consider pumping out of

hole.
Warning signs of swabbing:

◼ Excessive overpull, drag, or torque
◼ Drilling in reactive formations (gumbo)

Copyright of Shell Global Solutions ◼ High rheology mud properties
Use Trip Tanks and Document Trip Sheets
◼ Trip Sheets should be used to compare actual and
calculated volumes displaced.
◼ Trip Tanks must be accurately calibrated and
monitored by crew member.
◼ Hole fill-up manifolding should account for pulling dry
or “wet” pipe.
◼ Plan the trip – have a set schedule of stands pulled
between fill-ups, have a sound procedure for re-filling
trip tank and transferring surface mud volumes.
EXAMPLE:
Reduction in Bottom Hole Pressure
When in doubt,
flow check or shut-in the well! If MW is 12.2 ppg and falls 350 ft, what is the
decrease in BHP?
12.2 ppg x .052 x 350 ft = 271 psi
Insufficient Mud Weight – Monitor MWs In/Out Regularly!
Causes of insufficient mud/fluid density
are:
◼ Drilling abnormal pressured formations
◼ Improper water additions / leaking mud room or

pit valves
NOTE:
◼ Barite settling/SAG in high angle hole sections
◼ Mud/fluid density should be checked and logged

◼ Human Error
often.
◼ Values should be reported over rig intercom and

“light” conditions should be reported immediately.
Loss of Circulation – Monitor Pit Levels at All
Times Trip Tank
BOP Stack
Choke Manifold
Mud Pumps Mud Pits
Kill Line
Gas Separator
◼ Total loss of circulation can cause a potential loss of

hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore.
◼ Loss of circulation causes a loss of pressure integrity in

the circulating system.
◼ THE HOLE MUST REMAIN FULL!

Kick Detection and Shut-In Procedures
1.4
KICK WARNING SIGNS – While Drilling
A warning sign is an indication observed at the surface by the rig crew.
◼ Drilling Break ◼ String Weight Change
◼ Increase in Flow Return Rate ◼ Reduced Drilling Fluid Density
◼ Gain in Pit Volume ◼ Geo-pressured Shale Cuttings
◼ Well Flows with Pumps Shut-off ◼ Flow Line Abnormalities
◼ Decrease in Circulating Pressure ◼ And more . . .

KICK WARNING SIGNS – While Tripping
A warning sign is an indication observed at the surface by the rig crew.
◼ Improper hole fill
◼ Well begins to flow
◼ Gain in Trip Tank Volume

Secondary Well Control
◼ Use of Surface Equipment to restrict/prevent flow from well

◼ How is it done?
◼ Why does it work?
◼ How to shut in the well?
◼ How to interpret pressures?

Kick Detection Equipment

Kick Detection Equipment
What is the most important piece of well control equipment on the rig?

Flow Checks
◼ Involves physically checking the level of fluid in the annulus

◼ Flow check are to be done
◼ After drilling break
◼ Just before pulling bit off bottom prior to a trip
◼ At the last casing shoe
◼ Prior to pulling the BHA out of the hole
AND
ANY TIME THERE IS A DOUBT

Kick Containment
◼ The size and severity of a kick depends upon

◼ The degree of underbalance
◼ The formation permeability
◼ The length of time the well remains underbalanced
Any suspected kick should be shut in as fast as possible

Blowout Control Equipment
◼ Annular & ram type preventers
◼ Allow the well to be shut in at surface
◼ Allow wellbore pressure to increase to balance Po and so stop well flowing
◼ Downhole & surface drillpipe valves
◼ Prevents flow up the drillstring when well is shut in
◼ Choke control system
◼ Provides system to monitor & apply annular back pressure to
◼ Keep the well under control.
◼ Hydraulic BOP control system
◼ Stores hydraulic energy to enable a fast & reliable response on closing the well.
◼ Degassing equipment
◼ Separates gas from drilling fluid
◼ Diverts gas to safe area for venting.
BOP Stack
◼ The BOP stack is located over the well head and under drill
floor in surface BOP’s
◼ They might include
◼ Annular preventer
◼ Pipe ram preventer
◼ Drilling spool
◼ Blind/shear ram preventer
◼ Casing head housing
◼ The stack is assembled in many arrangements depending upon
requirements
◼ Principal well control equipment on the rig
◼ Generally owned by drilling contractor
Surface BOP Stack Configuration

Annular Preventer
◼ Are available in different sizes, makes and pressure ratings

◼ All contain a steel reinforced rubber packing that close around tubulars

Ram Preventers
◼ Ram preventers close on the drill pipe by moving rams from a retracted position
◼ They operate in pairs and seal the space below them when closed
◼ They have openings that match the diameter of pipe for which they are designed
◼ Also come in different sizes, makes and pressure ratings

BOP Rams

Hydraulic Control Unit

◼ Stores hydraulic energy in accumulator bottles

◼ Regulates operating pressure to a main manifold and separate annular prevent manifold
◼ Diverts hydraulic oil to opening or closing sides of all preventers and valves
◼ Can be operated remotely by actuators on valve handles
◼ Pump redundancy – air and electrical pumps


BOP Hydraulic Control System
◼ Nitrogen pre-charge (+/- 1000psi) above

float or in bladder
◼ Nitrogen compressed by hydraulic oil
pumped into bottom of cylinder to +/-
3000 psi
◼ As functions operated, N2 drives
hydraulic oil out of cylinders

Remote Panels
◼ Located on drillfloor and elsewhere

on rigsite
◼ Provide remote control of all BOP
functions
◼ Usual to have safety cover over
shear ram function

Closing in the drillstring
◼ BOPs only close in on annulus

◼ Flow will continue up drillstring if
open
◼ Drillsting or inside BOPS (kelly
cock) closes in on drillstring
◼ Needs to have correct threads for
drillstring
◼ Needs a key to close it
◼ Needs to be stabbed on flowing well
◼ TIW/Gray valve is a pump through
valve made on top of this for
stripping in.
Choke Manifold
◼ Provide means of applying controlled back

pressure to the well whilst circulating a kick
◼ An assembly of HP flanged fittings
◼ Several lateral outlets
◼ Attached to the BOP stack with choke line
◼ Choke helps to maintain back pressure
◼ This prevents further influx
◼ The fluid from well can be diverted
◼ The choke is operated manually or
remotely
◼ A choke panel is usually on rig floor

Remote Choke Panel
◼ Located on drill floor

◼ Allows better coordination with Driller during well kill
◼ Requires rig air to operate

Poor-boy (atmospheric) degasser
◼ Used to remove gas from drilling fluid

◼ Gas disposed via vent line
◼ Fluids return to tanks via shaker header
box
◼ Capacity limited by separation efficiency
and gas vent line pressure drop

Well Shut-in
◼ Three Important Considerations:
◼ String space-out for BOP closing and safety valve access or installation.
◼ The drill/work string should be secured first. This is the shortest path to the surface for
potential kicking fluids.
◼ After the well is shut-in, verify that well flow has ceased.
Types of shut-in:
Soft shut-in – choke is open while drilling and tripping
Hard shut-in – choke is closed while drilling and tripping

Well Shut-in As Per API RP 59
While Drilling – Hard Shut-In While Drilling – Soft Shut-
In
1. Pick up to correct space out. 1. Pick up to correct space out.
2. Shut off pumps. 2. Shut off pumps.
3. Open choke line valve (HCR). 3. Open choke line valve (HCR).
4. Close the BOP. 4. Close the BOP.
5. Ensure that choke is closed. 5. Close the remote choke.
6. Verify that well is shut-in. 6. Verify that well is shut-in.
7. Record Time SIDPP, SICP, and Pit Gain. 7. Record Time, SIDPP, SICP, and Pit Gain.
8. Notify supervisors. 8. Notify supervisors.

Time Line for a Drilled Kick
Soft - Shut In
Tk Td Tc Ts
Occurrence Phase Confirmation Phase Securing Phase Kill Phase
Open Close
Stop Pick Stop Flow Close
Choke Bag /
Drilling Up Pumps Check Choke
Line Ram
Hard - Shut In
Tk Td Tc Ts
Sec.
Occurrence Phase Confirmation Phase Phase Kill Phase
Stop pumps Close

Stop Pick Flow Check Bag /
Drilling Up Open Choke Ram
line HCR
Shut In Procedures - Tripping
1. Set slips below top tool joint.

2. Stab a full opening safety valve and close it.
3. Open the HCR and close the BOP, and choke.
4. Pick up and stab the TDS.
5. Open the safety valve.
6. Notify the supervisors.
7. Read and record SIDPP, SICP, Pit gain, TVD of Well, TVD of bit, time, and date.
8. Prepare to implement kill.

Well Control Drills
◼ Helps in Early Detection of Well Control Warning Signs

◼ Purpose of BOP drills is to familiarize the drillcrews with techniques that will be
implemented in the event of a kick.
◼ Kick-induced well pressures are dependent upon influx volume. Drills make the
rig team more alert to warning signs and promote early kick detection.
◼ Every effort should be make to ensure that the drill is carried out in the most
realistic manner possible.
◼ Perform various drills once a week with each crew:
• While drilling
• While tripping
• While drilling with a diverter

Killing the Well
1.5
Analysing Pressures…The Well as a U Tube
Always consider the well as a U-Tube

Total pressures will always balance
Pressures driven by:
◼ Pore Pressure
◼ DP / Annulus contents
◼ Surface Pressure
Po = Reservoir
BHP
Copyright of Shell Global Solutions Pressure
Modelling a kick
◼ After a drilling kick an influx will be

located at bottom of hole
◼ Usually “strung out” around the BHA
◼ Low annular capacity around BHA leads
to long length of influx
◼ Shutting in the well allows pressure to
build up so BHP rises back up to Po

Pressures after closing in well
◼ BHP will rise to equal Po

◼ Assuming drillstring full of drilling fluid,
PDP will indicate reservoir
overpressure
◼ Po can be calculated knowing TVD of
well and drilling fluid density
◼ Pann greater than PDP due to lighter
fluid in annulus
◼ New drilling fluid gradient can be
determined from Po

Pre-Kick Calculations
◼ Much of data required for well control operation can be pre-calculated

◼ Kick Control worksheet used to record key data
◼ Well dimensions, depths etc
◼ Drillstring and Annulus Volumes
◼ MAASP
◼ Strokes required to circulate specific lengths of drillstring and annulus
◼ Slow circulating pressures

Slow Circulating Rates
◼ Allow continuous weighing up of drilling fluid as well is killed

◼ Allow for effective degassing at the mud/gas separator
◼ Maintains standpipe pressure at acceptable level
◼ Reduces annular friction loss
◼ Provides ample time for response to pressure fluctuations at choke
◼ Minimises chance of hydrate at choke (only HP/HT and/or subsea)
◼ Minimises pressure loss through (long) choke line (only subsea)

Kick Sheets
◼ Available for different well configurations

◼ Need to be kept up to date
◼ Should be updated every shift or on a significant
status change:
◼ Casing installed
◼ Change in fluid gradient
◼ Change in drillstring
◼ Change in pump liners

Kill Weight Mud
The exact mud weight required to balance formation pressure.
◼ Kill weight mud is Shut-in drillpipe pressure is the difference between hydrostatic and formation
pressure.
◼ Kill weight mud is calculated using the shut-in drillpipe pressure.
◼ Always round up to next highest tenth ppg.
 
 SIDP 
KWM = 



+ OMW

 0.052  TVD 

EXAMPLE:
Shut-in drillpipe pressure = 200 psi

True Vertical Depth = 8500 ft
Original Mud Weight = 12.0 ppg
 
 200 
+ 12.0 = 12.45 ppg = 12.5 ppg


 0.052  8500 
The Three Rules for Killing a Well
Rule 1
◼ Keep BHP  P0
Rule 2
◼ In standard well kill procedures the annular friction loss is assumed to have been lost in the drill
string
Rule 3
◼ Once the kick is inside the casing, the pressure rating of surface equipment and casing burst
become critical factors for well killing

Well Control Methods – String in hole and on bottom
WAIT & WEIGHT BULLHEAD

◼ Not normally used now as first choice ◼ Applied when conditions dictate (HP wells,
DRILLER’S fractured formations)
◼ Used by most operators in most applications ◼ inadvertently done when BHP too high!
worldwide, SIMPLE! REVERSE
CONCURRENT ◼ Seldom applied as primary method
◼ Applied by some operators who still refer to it ◼ could be an option when losses are severe &
as Driller’s method. continuous
◼ Pumping weighted mud can start any time. ◼ Applied in workover / production situations to
kill well

Pressure in the Well
Pdp
Pann
Po = pore pressure in kPa (psi)
Pdp = final closed-in DP pressure in kPa (psi)
Pann = final closed-in Annulus pressure in kPa (psi)
PSCR = Slow Circulating Rate pressure in kPa (psi)
1 = density of drilling fluid in use in kPa/m (psi/ft)
DS
2 = density of drilling fluid to kill well in use in kPa/m (psi/ft)
D D = TV depth of hole in m (ft)
ρ DS = TV depth of casing shoe in m (ft)
1
hinf l = height of influx in m (ft)
hinfl

Post Kick Calculations - Drillstring
Pdp 𝑃0 = 𝐵𝐻𝑃 = 𝑃𝑑𝑝 + 𝐷 ∗ 𝜌1

Pann
𝑃𝑎𝑛𝑛 − 𝑃𝑑𝑝
𝜌𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙 = 𝜌1 −
DS ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙
𝑃𝑑𝑝
𝜌2 = 𝜌1 +
𝐷
D
𝑃𝑐1,𝑊𝑊 = 𝑃𝑑𝑝 + 𝑃𝑆𝐶𝑅
ρ1
𝜌2
𝑃𝑐2.𝑤𝑤 = 𝑃𝑆𝐶𝑅 ∗
𝜌1
hinfl 𝑃𝑐1.𝐷𝑀 = 𝑃𝑑𝑝 + 𝑃𝑆𝐶𝑅
Pressure stabilisation
How long for shut in pressure to

stabilise? FAST
900 700
Pressure
PSI PSI
Time
HIGH LOW SLOW

PERMEABILITY PERMEABILITY
Pressure
Time

Gas Migration – Shut-in Well
500 3000 5500
◼ BHP = FP at shut-in
5500
◼ If ignored, gas influx will migrate
2500 causing:
HP ◼ BHP increase
5000 5500 5000
psi ◼ Casing shoe pressure increase
◼ Casing pressure increase
2500 ◼ Worst possible case is gas at the
5500 5500
FP
5500
FP
5500
FP
surface at its original pressure. By this
5500
BHP
8000
BHP
10500
BHP
time SICP = FP and BHP has nearly
doubled.

Shut In Pressures vs. Influx Volume

Shut In Pressures vs. Influx Type

Float in Drillstring
Zero SIDPP How to find SIDPP

0
◼ Pump slowly down drillpipe and watch build up
600
◼ Correct SIDPP is as soon as SICP starts to increase
SIDPP SICP
600
500
Time Time

Pump Start-up Procedures – Surface BOP
Pump Operator’s Responsibilities
◼ Begin slow and easy; it should take at least a full minute to bring the pump up to the planned
kill rate.
◼ Monitor the pump rate increase and drillpipe and casing pressures. Communicate these
values to the Choke Operator.
◼ Pump pressure should rise steadily and casing pressure should remain relatively constant. If
any unusual pressure behavior is seen – stop pumping and communicate to the Choke
Operator to close-in the well.

Pump Start-up Procedures – Surface BOP
Choke Operator's Responsibilities
◼ Upon word from the Pump Operator that the pump has started, crack open the choke slightly and
monitor the drillpipe and casing pressures.
◼ As the pump comes up to kill rate, adjust choke as necessary to control casing pressure constant at the
shut-in valve until the pump is up to desired kill rate.
◼ Be aware of unusual pressure behavior and communicate to the Pump Operator the drillpipe and casing
pressures. Be prepared to instruct the Pump Operator to shut down the pump if unusual pressures are
seen.
◼ When the pump has reached the proper kill rate, continue to control casing pressure constant until the
casing and drillpipe pressures have stabilized.
◼ Record drillpipe pressure as the correct Initial Circulating Pressure (ICP). Compare it to the pre-
calculated ICP value.

Driller’s Method
◼ Influx is circulated from well with original mud weight.
◼ ICP is held constant during the first circulation.
◼ For underbalanced kicks a second circulation is required, using kill weight mud and a
drillpipe pressure schedule (as in wait and weight method).
◼ For mechanically induced kicks not requiring mud weight increase, the second circulation
is not required.

Driller’s Method
Advantages
◼ Circulation begins immediately.
◼ Barite supply not required to begin procedure.
Disadvantages
◼ Longer time on choke (if two circulations required).
◼ Surface pressures will be higher than Wait and Weight.
◼ Shoe pressure may be higher than Wait and Weight.

Kill Procedures – Driller’s Method
SIDPP SICP
Gas Kick Shut-in
◼ Allow pressures to stabilize.
◼ Calculate Initial Circulating Pressure.
SIDPP = FP - HP dp
SICP = FP - HP ann

Casing
ICP Pressure
Constant
Bring Well on Choke
◼ Holding casing pressure constant by

adjusting choke.
◼ With pump up to kill rate, pressure on

drillpipe gauge is Initial Circulating Pressure.

Casing
ICP Pressure
Rising
Circulating Kick Out
◼ Maintain ICP on drillpipe gauge until influx is

out of wellbore.
◼ Expanding gas is pushing more mud out of

annulus, so Casing Pressure is rising to
compensate and keep BHP constant.

SIDPP SICP = SIDPP

First Circulation Completed
◼ Well closed in.
◼ Original weight mud all around well.
◼ Increase mud weight to KWM value.
◼ Fill out kill sheet.

Casing
ICP Pressure
Steady
Bring Well on Choke

adjusting choke.


Casing
Pressure
Steady
Circulating Kill Mud
◼ Down Drillstring
◼ Drillpipe pressure dropping from ICP to FCP

as kill mud is pumped down drillstring.

Casing
FCP Pressure
Dropping
Kill Mud Coming Up Annulus
◼ Final Circulating Pressure held on drillpipe

gauge.
◼ As kill mud is being pumped up the annulus,

the choke is being steadily opened to keep
FCP on drillpipe, hence casing pressure
decreasing.

0 psi 0 psi Well Killed
◼ Shut in well and check for pressure.
◼ Open choke and check for flow.
◼ With no pressure and no flow – open BOPs

and resume operations.

Wait And Weight Method
◼ “Wait” while the mud is “Weighted” up prior to circulating influx from the hole.
◼ Only used during underbalance kicks. (FP>HP)
◼ Generally, well is killed in one circulation.

Wait And Weight Method
Advantages
◼ The well may be killed in one circulation
◼ Surface and wellbore pressures will generally be lower than when using the Driller’s Method.
◼ Pressures at the casing shoe can be lower than when using the Driller’s Method.
Disadvantages
◼ Waiting time may be lengthy.
◼ Gas migration may be a problem.
◼ Necessary barite must be available.

Kill Procedures – Wait and Weight Method
SIDPP SICP
Gas Kick Shut-in
◼ Increase MW to KWM.
◼ Fill out kill sheet.
SIDPP = FP - HP dp
SICP = FP - HP ann

Casing
ICP Pressure
Constant Bring Well on Choke

adjusting choke.


Casing
Pressure
Rising Circulating Kill Mud
◼ Down drillstring.
◼ Drillpipe pressure decreasing from ICP to

FCP.
◼ Casing Pressure Rising very slowly as gas

expands.

Casing
FCP Pressure
Rising Kill Mud at Bit
◼ Drillpipe Pressure now steady at Final

Circulating Pressure.
◼ Casing Pressure rising slowly as gas

expands.

Casing
FCP Pressure
Maximum Gas at Surface
◼ Casing Pressure at its maximum.
◼ Drillpipe pressure steady at FCP.

Low
FCP Casing
Pressure Drillpipe Contents at Surface
◼ Low Casing Pressure – as light mud from

drillpipe circulated out.
◼ Drillpipe pressure steady at FCP.

FCP 0 psi
Well Killed
◼ KWM at flowline.
◼ Strokes – Surface to bit plus bit to surface.
◼ Choke 100% open.
◼ Casing Pressure – 0 psi.
◼ Drillpipe pressure – at FCP or higher value.

0 psi 0 psi
Shut Well In
◼ Check for pressure on drillpipe and casing

gauge.
◼ Open choke.
◼ Check for flow.


Well Control During Operations

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Well Control During Operations

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Well Control During Drilling

A brief introduction about well control principles and equipment used

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◼ Kicks and Blowouts

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◼ Increased exposure to hazards

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◼ Company Image & Licence to Operate

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Partial or Complete Abandonment

The use of hydrostatic pressure

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◼ Liquids exert hydrostatic

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What is the hydrostatic pressure per foot of vertical depth?

HP = .052 x 12 ppg x 1 ft = 0.624 psi/ft

HSP = MW x .052 x TVD

MW = Pressure ÷ .052 ÷ TVD

Gradient = Pressure ÷ TVD

Note: Use TVD for Pressure.

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◼ Too low and the BHP will fall below the

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◼ Normal Pore Pressure Profiles

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Abnormal Pore Pressure Profiles

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Overburden pressure gradient is the sum

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Generally performed after setting casing

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◼ Provides limited information!

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gradient as upper limit of minimum horizontal stress).

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◼ If P < 10% in 15 mins, cement is good & the new

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ρfs Formation Strength Gradient

ρmu Limiting Pressure

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Leak off pressure = 900 psi

900 psi ÷ .052 psi/ft/ppg ÷ 4,500 ft + 10.0 ppg = 13.8 ppg

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◼ While drilling tophole section with a diverter system – Diverter

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1. Swabbing during trips

2. Improper hole fill-up on trips